Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

When DH an di went to Florence in Feb, he got me a beautiful lambskin bag. Im in love w. it. (see pic)

Anyway, there was a major accident. To make a LONG story short, lets just say, my bag wound up sitting in a puddle of water for about an hour an di wasnt aware of it. Needless to say, the leather is hard and yuck and when it dried, it left a ring around the whole bottom part.

I brought it to this shoe maker guy in town and he said there was nothing he could do.

Does ANYONE have ANY suggestions or expertise in this field?? Im SOOO devasated and upset. I lvoe this bag and now its RUINED!!!

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Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

In Westbury on Post Avenue there is a saddle stich guy (he makes horse saddles, etc) He is a genius with leather. As soon as my mom gets home I will get you the name

Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

oh no - I just wanted to
I'll ask my sister, she works at Coach - maybe they have a suggestion?

Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

You could try mink oil...rubbing it in may help, but usually water damage on leather is pretty permanent.
Hopefully, the saddle guy will have a better answer.

Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

Don't know where you live, but there's Huntington Village Leather right off of New York Ave. They might be able to give you some guidance or repair it.

Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

Message edited 5/9/2007 10:11:42 AM.

Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

I just asked my sister (works at Coach) - she said that unfortunately, when someone comes in with a water damaged bag, they can't do anything.

Definitely try the leather shops though - the experts will give you the best choices.

Re: Can anyone help or have a suggestion?? DESPERATE!!

I worked at Coach for 8 years....we always suggested to wash the bag in Ivory soap(or a mild soap) with a soft washcloth and then take a new clean washcloth with water and rinse it out. Let it air dry. Since you have the ring around the edge where it was wet I would focus my washing in that area. They also sell a lotion The Coach Lotion--I think it is around 6 or 8 dollars...and it is really worth it. I hate buying stuff like that,but after using it, I realized that it is really good. I would NOT put any type of oil on the bag as that can darken the leather. Hope this helps....